Altogether unusual

A woman, against all odds

'When I see passion in someone, that all-consuming,

driving you mad sort of passion, I feel connected with that person,

more intimate than with any others who cross my path.

But with her everything changed.

The strings attaching me to her were not just strong, but

getting shorter, pulling me closer. I needed to be around her.

It started that simple.'

L.L. Water

I opened the door and there he was. Of course I started to freak out, my brains absolutely kicking the walls inside my head. The little annoying voice I usually hear when I am nervous started to talk very fast and squeaky: "Why is he here?", "Will he ask me to stop talking to Eve?", "How can he wear those suits like he was born with them?", "Are they custom made?", "Why does he have to hate me?", "What colour are his eyes?"

"Hi!"

"Hi! Hmm.... What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" He's asking with an authoritative voice, like it was implied for him to get into my house.

"Ahm NO! We can talk here. And make it fast!"

"Listen, this is kind of important. It involves Eve, and you must help me."

"I must, huh? Help you with what?"

"Can we just go inside and talk?"

"No. I actually have the Fun-Fam-Dabney evening to get back to." I blurt out, unable to stop.

"Do you have fun with your parents?" I sense his irony, but I fail to understand his point.

"Yeah, I do. Don't you with your family?"

We have a stare contest for a few seconds, but then he backs down and his eyes change for a second. Something between a sheepish silent apology and a sad thought behind his blue eyes. Needless to say, it disappears immediately.

"I'm sorry, it was a stupid remark. Can we talk about Eve's birthday inside?"

"Eve's birthday? When?"

"Next week. And I need you for the present making process."

"Can't we talk at school on Monday? I really need to get ba...."

"Good evening, Jonathan!"

I freeze as I hear my mother's voice.

"I am Amanda Dabney, Clarisse's mother. Please, come in!"

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs Dabney. Thank you!" He returns her politeness and kisses her hand. I see my mother face lighting up like a Christmas tree. She's a sucker for manners. Oh, mom!

I swear I could burry myself under the door right now. Why would she invite him in? Didn't she catch my drift?

"It is nice to meet you. Clarisse told me about you. And Eve."

"Really, she did?" He turns to me with a devilish grin. My Lord, he is gorgeous!

Clearly I couldn't show him I was bothered by the fact that he doesn't speak to me in school, so I just threw in a plain explanation like: "I told mother I eat with you and your girlfriend."

After that, mom, much too happy I receive visits from my colleagues, shooed us in my room under the promise to bring us black tea and some sandwiches.